Interlocking bottle case



July 25, 1961 R. A. BRUCE 2,993,615

INTERLOCKING BOTTLE CASE Filed March 7, 1960 2 sheets-sheet 1 ggg!! /7 Zd Y 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 f7 f/g INVENTO/R ma@ R. A. BRUCE INTERLOCKING BOTTLE CASE `Iuly 25, 1961 Filed March 7. 1960 United States Patent O 2,993,615 INTERLOCKING BOTTLE CASE Robert A. Bruce, Keosauqua, Iowa, assignor to Barker Equipment Company, Keosauqua, Iowa, a corporation of Iowa Filed Mar. 7, 1960, Ser. No. 13,244 Claims. (Cl. 220-19) This invention relates to an upwardly open Wirework type of carrying case adapted for carrying Various articles or containers, such as, for example, cardboard milk cartons, milk bottles, and the like.

One of the styles of this general class of cases that has been extensively used includes stacking means, such as described in my United States Letters Patent No. 2,512,517, which permits a number of such cases to be stacked, single tile, one upon another, in a manner so as to tend to preclude an upper case from sliding of of a lower case. It is recognized that the manner of handling and temporary storage of such cases in such single tile stacked relation presents diiculties by reason of the fact there is no interconnection between one stack of cases with another. Because of this condition, it sometimes happens that one stack of cases is caused to be tipped over, or to shift its relationship, with respect to other stacks of cases. This problem is of particular importance when such stacked cases are being transported in a vehicle. It is also recognized that when such cases are arranged in a single stack of substantial height, especially when loaded, there results a certain degree of instability.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a novel case construction of the character indicated which makes it possible to stack such cases in either a single stack arrangement or, where desired, to stack such cases in a plurality of stacks in an interlocking relationship so as to provide relatively firm and stable stacking arrangements of the cases.

Another object of this invention is to provide a novel case construction of the character indicated having a length substantially twice its width, and provided with dual sets of stacking means arranged so as to provide for interlocking engagement of cases between two or more stacks of cases.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a novel and improved open wire-work case which permits attainment of the above objects and which is of sturdy, rugged construction capable of withstanding normal rough and severe handling, Without damage to the case or its contents.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent from the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE l is a side elevational View of the case embodying the present invention.

FIGURES 2 and 3 are top plan and end views, respectively, of the case.

FIGURE 4 is a plan view showing interlocking relationships between a plurality of stacks of cases embodying the present invention.

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged side elevational view of the stacked arrangement of cases shown in FIGURE 4 and comprising three tiers or rows of cases.

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the interlocking relationship between a plurality of stacks or tiers of cases and taken substantially as indicated at line 6-6 on FIGURE 4.

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged sectional View taken substantially as indicated at line 7 7 on FIGURE 4, showing the relationship between an upper and lower case in a stacked relation.

Referring specically to the drawings for a detailed description of the embodiment of the invention, the open wire-work case includes an upper perimeter frame wire 10, and a lower perimeter frame wire 11, of substantially rectangular shape. These two frame wires, which are of generally rectangular formation, are of substantially congruent outline. Interconnecting the upper and lower frame wires 10 and 11, are a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart vertical wires 12, which may be single length wires or of hairpin formation, and are secured by Welding to the respective frame Wires 10 and 11. Surrounding the vertical wires and rigidly attached thereto, such as by welding, are auxiliary perimeter wires 14 and 15.

A plurality of spaced apart, substantially parallel bottom members 16 are secured at their opposite ends, as by welding, to the under side of the lower frame wire 11. If desired, a sulicient number of bottom members 16 may be employed so as to constitute the bottom of the case. However, as herein shown, I employ a plurality of at metal slats 17, extending lengthwise of the case, superimposed upon the members 16, and the end portions of the slats bent downwardly and secured as by welding to the under side of the bottom frame wire 11, as clearly seen in FIGURE 7 of the drawings. As may be noted from FIGURES l, 2 and 3 of the drawings, the case, while being rectangular in shape, has a length substantially twice the width thereof. It is this dimensional relationship, together with stacking means, which makes it possible to obtain the advantages of the present invention, as will hereinafter appear.

Secured to the under side of the case are two duplicate sets of stacking means located in longitudinally spaced apart relation and in registry respectively with each half length of the case, as may be clearly seen in FIGURES 1 and 2 of the drawings. As herein shown, each of the stacking means 20 is in the form of a single continuous piece of wire bent in a rectangular shape or form, with the ends thereof welded together. As may be seen in FIGURES 6 and 7 of the drawings, the stacking rings 20 are each secured, as by welding, to the under side of the bottom members or wires 16, with the stacking rings positioned below and within the innermost outline of the bottom frame wire; in other words, the transverse dimension of each of the stacking rings is less than the transverse dimension of the bottom frame wire 11.

It is to be understood that the advantages of the present invention may be obtained whether the stacking means is directly or indirectly connected to and supported by the bottom frame wire. For certain constructions, it might be desired to attach the stacking rings directly to the bottom frame wire, such as by means of short stubs of wire or lugs.

It will now be apparent that cases embodying the present invention may be stacked one upon another in a conventional, single stack arrangement, with the stacking rings 20 of `an upper case positioned within the upper frame wire of a lower case, such as may be seen in FIGURE 7 of the drawings-and with the terminal portions of the slats 17 interposed between the bottom frame wire 11 of an upper case and the top frame wire of a lower case, at the end portions of the case.

It will also be apparent that a double stacking arrangement of the novel cases embodying the present invention may be attained by placing two cases in aligned side-byside relation and super-imposing thereupon two additional cases, in side-by-side relation, and arranged transversely upon the two lower cases, and with each alternate row or tier of cases being reversed 90 degrees with respect to the lower row or tier. In such an arrangement, the dual sets of stacking means on each of the upper cases interlock and cooperate with corresponding halves of two adjacent aligned cases.

When it is desired to provide interlocking between three stacks of cases, as clearly seen in FIGURES 4 and 5 of the drawings, two cases are rst placed in alignment side-by-side, and the third case is placed in alignment transversely and across the ends of the other two cases. The next superimposed row or tier of cases is provided by placing two aligned cases side-by-side, with corresponding halves in registry with the respective halves of the end case, and with the stacking means operatively positioned therein; and with the other corresponding halves of said two cases in registry with the adjacent halves of the two aligned lower cases, and with the stacking means operatively positioned therein; and a third case is then placed across the end of the two aligned cases of the second tier or row, registering with the remaining two corresponding halves of the said two lower cases, and with the stacking means operatively positioned therein. The dual sets of stacking means may thus function separately and individually for interlocking relation with different cases. It will also be apparent that by virtue of the unique stacking arrangement which is possible with the novel case embodying the present invention, greater stability is attained when two or more stacks of cases are caused to be positioned in interlocking relationship with each other. Thus, the possibility ofa stack of such interlocked cases being inadvertently tipped over or caused to be shifted relative to each other, such as during transmit in a vehicle, is now reduced to a practical minimum.

Although I have herein shown and described a certain preferred embodiment of my invention, manifestly it is capable of modification and rearrangement without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. I do not, therefore, wish to be understood -as limiting this invention to the precise embodiment herein disclosed, except as I may be so limited `by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In an open wire-work carrying case of generally rectangular shape with an open top and having a length substantially twice its width, an upper perimeter frame wirc, a lower perimeter frame wire, said frame wires being of substantially congruent shapes, upright wires secured to said frame wires, a plurality of spaced apart bottom members, secured at their ends to opposite portions cf said lower frame wire, and two duplicate sets of stacking means suported from and positioned below and within the bottom yframe wire and located Yin longitudinally spaced apart relation and in registry respectively with each half length of the case, said case being adapted to be stacked cross wise on and in alignment with corresponding halves of each of a pair of similar cases disposed in close, side-by-side relation, with a portion of the bottom frame wire in vertical alignment with a portion of the upper frame wires of said pair of cases, and with said two sets of stacking means positioned within the top frame wires of said pair of cases.

2. In an open wire-work carrying case of generally rectangular shape with an open top and having a length substantially twice its width, an upper perimeter frame wire, a lower perimeter trarne wire, said frame wires being of substantially congruent shapes, upright wires secured to said frame wires, a plurality of spaced apart bottom members, secured at their ends to opposite portions of said lower frame wire, and two duplicate sets of stacking means supported from and positioned below and within the bottom frame wire and located in longitudinally spaced apart relation and in registry respectively with each half length of the case, each set of stacking means comprising four stacking features arranged in right angular relation to each other, said case being adapted to be stacked in cross-wise on and in alignment with corresponding halves of each of a pair of similar cases disposed in close side-by-side relation, with a portion of the bottom frame wire in vertical alignment with a portion of the upper frame wires of said pair ot cases, and with said two sets of stacking means positioned within the top frame wires of said pair of cases.

3. In an open wire-work carrying case of generally rectangular shape with an open top and having a length substantially twice its width, an upper perimeter frame wire, a lower perimeter frame wire, said -frame wires being of substantially congruent shapes, upright wires secured to said frame wires, a plurality of spaced apart bottom members, secured at their ends to opposite portions o said lower frame wire, and two duplicate sets of stacking means supported `from and positioned below and within the bottom frame wire and located in longitudinally spaced apart relation and in registry respectively with each half length of the case, each set of stacking means being formed of wire defining a generally rectangular outline, .said case being adapted to be stacked cross-wise on and in alignment with corresponding halves of each of a pair of similar cases disposed in close sideby-side relation, with a `portion of the bottom frame wire in vertical alignment with a portion of the upper frame wires of said pair of cases, and with said two sets of stacking means positioned within the top frame wires of said pair of cases.

4. In an open wire-work carrying case of generally rectangular shape with an open top and having a length substantially twice its width, an upper perimeter frame wire, a lower perimeter frame wire, said frame wires being of substantially congruent shapes, upright wires secured to said frame wires, a plurality of spaced apart bottom members, secured at their ends to opposite portions of said lower frame wire, and two duplicate sets of stacking means supported from and positioned below and within the bottom frame wire and located in longitudinally spaced apart relation and in registry respectively with each half length of the case, each set of stacking means being directly connected to said bottom members, said case being adapted to be stacked cross-wise on and in alignment with corresponding halves of each of a pair of similar cases disposed in close side-by-side relation, with a portion of the bottom frame wire in vertical alignment with a portion of the upper frame wires of said pair of cases, and with said two sets of stacking means positioned within the top frame wires of said pair of cases.

5. In an open wire-work carrying case of generally rectangular shape with an open top and having a length substantially twice its width, an upper perimeter frame wire, a lower perimeter frame wire, said frame Wires being of substantially congruent shapes, upright wires secured to said frame wires, a plurality of spaced apart bottom members, secured at their ends to opposite portions of said lower frame wire, and two duplicate sets of stacking means supported from and positioned below and within the bottom frame wire and located in longitudinally spaced apart relation and in registry respectively with each half length of the case, whereby a multiplicity of said cases may be stacked in interconnected relation with a bottom row comprising three cases, with a pair of cases disposed in close side-by-side relation, and the third case in alignment transversely adjacent and across the aligned ends of said pair of cases, and a second row of three similarly related cases, with a pair of said cases disposed in close side-by-side relation and positioned with a pair of corresponding halves in registry with and superimposed upon the respective halves of the third case of the bottom row, with the separate stacking means positioned therein, and with the other pair of corresponding halves of said pair of cases positioned in registry with and superimposed upon corresponding adjacent halves of said pair of cases of the bottom row, with the separate stacking means thereof positioned within said bottom cases, and the third case of the second row being positioned in registry with and superimposed upon the other corresponding adjacent halves of said pair of cases of the bottom row, with the stacking means thereof positioned within the bottom cases.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Stone Oct. 6, 1914 Weis June 16, 1925 Bruce June 20, 1950 Vilols Apr. 12, 1955 Hitz July 31, 1956 

